As the photographers who collaborated on the Nike Be True exhibition seem to be more conventional in the naming department, we’ll also be doing the alphabetical listing according to the more conventional surname method.

Ross Garrett

Based in Johannesburg, he works as photographer for Injozi - a small, but prolific, collective studio. Although trained as a graphic designer and starting his career as one, he has always seen photography as the end goal. A goal he seems to have reached, judging by the work he did for the Gallery on 4^th - a striking juxtaposition of two traditionally polar opposites – the world of the black female (as represented by Nomsebenzi Tsotsobe, captain of the Springbok Women’s Team) and that of the white rugby-playing male, resulting in an intensely emotional portrait and exploring the theme of challenging the status quo, your own fears and others about what they believe to be truth.

See more at his blog spot or at the Injozi page and the pictures of  Nomsebenzi here.

Xandre Kriel

 

For a man of few words, he tells many stories. He describes himself as a ‘self-taught photoman, a one-man show, travelling light.” He specialises male fashion photography, getting his photographic inspiration from the styles he works with. He has also – very successfully - branched out into furniture design.

More info: www.xandrekriel.com or at www.whatiftheworld.com

 

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Hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn and doughnuts… Food from The Land of the Free - and The Land of Nike, of course - fitted in perfectly with the big, bold and bright mood of the night.

The opening of a Nike store in a suburb like Melville in a country like South Africa could not be an understated sushi and champagne affair. It was loud and lovely; we were inspired, impressed and intrigued (and some of us even got slightly inebriated on free flowing Heineken and Strawberry Daiquiris.)

The action took place on three levels, literally and figuratively speaking: art, fashion and music distributed over three floors. Ground level was dedicated to design, dancing and social lubrication; first floor to photography and fashion while the rooftop offered fresh air, a view of Melville and a giant golden moon (the real one).

The collaborators (see list on the left) were selected for their unique take on life, love, art, the universe and everything, as well as their ability to convey that view in surprising yet substantial ways. In such company it is nigh impossible to single out any contribution, so watch this space for the next couple of weeks for more info on each of the artists and their work for the launch. (In the meantime, you could check out their own web spaces, by clicking on the links on the left.)

Check back here later today for the pictures…

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